I haven't seen Cry Macho yet... it doesn't open in the UK until November.
As a fan there isn't a single Eastwood film that doesn't touch, move, excite, interest or entertain me (many, all at once).
Cry Macho, dismissed and slammed by many critics, will engage and thrill me like the others.
Because it's a Clint Eastwood film.
Because at 91 our man is alive, productive and energised.
Currently at 59% on Rotten Tomatoes, there are around 20 Eastwood films
that have fared worse. (Including Sudden Impact, Absolute Power and True Crime).
But I have also read many positive to glowing reviews highlighting the film's
ethical richness, its sweetness, its sense of peace, contentment and serenity.
I would refer you to the following:
Glenn Heath, The Film Stage
Charles Bramesco, Little White Lies
Armond White, National Review
Brandon Streussnig, The Playlist
and most intriguingly Matt Goldberg at Collider (since
Invictus he has been extremely less than complimentary
about every Eastwood film.... he gave Cry Macho a B).
This alone is cause for anticipation.
These reviews, and many others, praise the valedictory nature
of the film.... they see the Eastwood themes it explores.... of community,
personal virtue and values, chivalry and trying to lead a good life well lived.
Many sense a time of closure may be looming and they talk
about Cry Macho in terms of farewell and adios.
They know we're nearer the end than the beginning.
This alone makes the anticipation fierce.
Clint may, and hopefully will, keep the old man at bay... he
may keep on producing films for years to come and defy us all.
In a months time I may return here to say that Cry Macho
was a big disappointment.... (I'm not blind to Clint's faults).....
but if so, it will be a first.
It's because I am a fan that I'll always cut him a little slack.
It's because I am a fan I know that if Clint was invested enough
to make the movie then I am invested enough to engage and
appreciate it.
Clint Eastwood Forums
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